Advertisement
Employment

‘Extraordinary leap’ in nursing applications during Covid-19 pandemic

The tireless efforts of NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis has been the “best advert” for careers in health care, experts said, with nursing applications rising by a third

More than 60,000 people applied to join the fight against Covid-19 through nursing, according to UCAS figures for applications to colleges and universities.

Total applications for nursing courses, submitted between summer 2020 and the end of January 2021, rose by nearly a third compared to last January’s deadline. The “surge” in interest for nursing courses starting this autumn was from people of all ages.

The “tireless and outstanding commitment” of nurses during the pandemic had been the “best possible advert for the nursing profession,” said Professor Mark Radford, chief nurse at Health Education England.

“To see applications rise for the third year running, and by such an extraordinary leap, is really wonderful news,” he added. 

There were a record 16,560 applications from 18-year-old school leavers, 27 per cent more than last year.

And for the first time ever, more than 10,000 students aged over 35 applied to study nursing, with a 39 per cent rise on last year taking total applications from that group to 10,770.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Lockdowns have taken income away from hundreds of Big Issue sellers. Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.

There was a bigger increase in the number of men applying to study nursing than women. UCAS recorded a 40 per cent rise in male applications compared to 32 per cent among women.

“This surge in interest from people – of all ages – wanting to study nursing is incredible, and is great news for the public and the health service,” said Ruth May, chief nursing officer for NHS England.

“During Covid-19, the level of interest in working for the NHS has trumped lots of other careers options, and that speaks volumes about how people recognise our profession, particularly following our most challenging year,” she added.

The number of people reapplying to study nursing also grew by nearly 23 per cent, according to the data.

Advertisement

Applications were up across all subjects, with nearly 43 per cent of the entire 18-year-old population in the UK applying for college or university. This is the first time more than two fifths of young people in the country have applied, despite uncertainty around online learning and social distancing at universities when the autumn semester begins.

“Applications are buoyant as students plan their futures for life after lockdown,” UCAS chief executive Clare Marchant said. 

Universities and colleges are likely to hand out a high number of offers, as they have in recent years, because they “have several months to plan and be flexible,” Marchant added.

But Brexit’s impact on applications is clear in the data, with applications from people in the EU dropping by 40 per cent since last year to 26,010 applications in total.

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Unemployment has risen while pay growth slows as experts warn of ‘cooling’ jobs market
Stock photo of UK bank notes and coins
Employment

Unemployment has risen while pay growth slows as experts warn of ‘cooling’ jobs market

Millions of lost jobs or a four-day working week? The impact of AI on the job market is complicated
Artificial Intelligence

Millions of lost jobs or a four-day working week? The impact of AI on the job market is complicated

Disabled people losing jobs and 'falling out of work' due to months-long waits for DWP support
disabled person working
Disability rights

Disabled people losing jobs and 'falling out of work' due to months-long waits for DWP support

Pay boost for millions as Labour raises minimum wage to £12.21 an hour – but is it enough?
Minimum wage

Pay boost for millions as Labour raises minimum wage to £12.21 an hour – but is it enough?

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue